What are meninges?

The meninges are like a cozy blanket that wraps around your brain and spinal cord to keep them safe.

Imagine you have a favorite teddy bear that you always take with you when you sleep. This teddy bear is soft, snug, and never lets you fall out of bed, kind of like the meninges do for your brain. They are three layers thick, like three different blankets stacked on top of each other.

• The first layer is like a smooth, slippery sheet that fits tightly around your brain, it’s called the dura mater.
• The second layer is softer and more flexible, like a pillow that cradles your brain, this one is called the arachnoid mater.
• The third layer is thin and delicate, almost like a spiderweb, it's named the pia mater, and it stays very close to your brain.

These three layers work together, like a team of blankets, to protect your brain from bumps and bruises. They also help keep your brain happy and healthy by letting fluids flow around it.